“Congratulations! You booked it!” Ah the sweet sound of music to any actor’s ears. Especially to mine. Yes, that was me at one time in my life, I had the bug. The acting bug and it made me itch for twenty plus years of my life. I remember the thrill of the pursuit, the endless trips to Kinkos and the Post office to mail out my headshots and resumes, the networking, the acting classes, the showcases, I remember the laughter of an audience, the call backs, and of course the rush of excitement when I finally booked work and the satisfaction of getting paid to do what I loved. But what I also remember was for the little amount of success I had enjoyed, I had to face a ton of more rejections. I hated it when I would prepare so hard and give everything I had to an audition and the person at the other end of the camera or stage would not even acknowledge me or would just blankly stare at me like I was a complete moron. And no actor wants to hear the dreaded words “don’t call us we’ll call you”. Rejection, it sucks! You put your heart out there and someone comes along and stomps on it like it’s nothing. But we all go through it one way or another, whether it’s a job setback, a breakup, divorce, or someone chooses to not friend us on Facebook or comment on our Facebook posts, Ouch that’s got to hurt. But it’s not that we should try and avoid it because we can’t. It’s going to happen to us as long as we venture to take risks, try to love, and well basically just live out this Christian life. We can’t escape it but we can choose how we deal with it. Jesus was faced with the ultimate rejection when He was crucified for our sins but scripture says, “who for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross”. You see, the suffering He had to go through was possible because of the joy He had. He didn’t rejoice about the cross, He wasn’t glad or happy to be beaten and nailed to a tree, who would? He suffered the ultimate rejection of His Father turning His back on Him, “Father why have you forsaken me?” But He was glad about the outcome and He focused on that. He knew that by enduring it, it would provide a way to save you and me and bring us into a relationship with Him forever. He didn’t let bitterness or anger interfere with God’s plan instead He uttered those loving words suffering on the cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. No instead He was full of joy. Not a happiness but an inner strength, knowing God’s will is best after all. Joy is rejoicing in the Lord for the outcome that is going to lead us in triumph and hope and victory. Jesus had that and He didn’t let His suffering overcome Him, but allowed God’s plan to be fulfilled in His life and in doing so He overcame the situation. For the scripture says, “He now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.” There is a win for every believer when we endure the suffering in this life. James reminds us to “Consider it pure joy when you face trials”. Why? Because of the work God is building in our inner character. Our trials may not bring us the results we want but I guarantee you if we give it over to God, and ask Him to reveal His plan for our lives, we will see His way was better after all. Looking back now I definitely see that a lot of those acting jobs I wish I could’ve had, actually could’ve been hurtful to me. I consider it a blessing I didn’t get the jobs. I would’ve been rich and famous but my heart would’ve been so far from Christ and what good is it to “gain the whole world and lose your soul”?  I can see now that His plan was truly best. So how about you, going through a trial today? Whether it’s a rejection or whatever the hardship may be, don’t let it overcome you, overcome it, by allowing God’s way to be fulfilled. Let His joy be your strength that propels you to the outcome God has and that will always be a place of hope and victory. The world may discard us with a “Don’t call us, we’ll call you”, but God will always invite you to call backs for His auditions. He’s got a role for everyone including you and remember when He’s directing the show there are no small parts.

Hebrews 12:2
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.